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Controversy
By Paul Proctor
February 4, 2004
NewsWithViews.com
You know � you would think that being the famous sister of a famous singer currently defending himself in court against numerous charges of gross sexual misconduct, Janet Jackson would take extra measures to dispel any notion that lewdness and lasciviousness were an integral part of that family�s legacy. Apparently, that�s not the case. Sin is seemingly something they wish us all to revel in � not be ashamed of � much less repent of. Sunday�s Super Bowl half-time porno production provided yet one more example of what our culture celebrates most � overt rebellion.
Seconds after Justin Timberlake jerked down Janet Jackson�s top to expose her bare breast and nipple ring to you and your children, I told my wife, in all her shock and disbelief, that it would be spinned in tomorrow�s mainstream press as �an accident�, followed by a series of empty apologies. After her top came down, I�m sure there was plenty of laughter and high-fives, not only in the performer�s dressing rooms but in the MTV boardrooms, as well. Sales for all participants will, of course, increase dramatically as a result. That�s just the way of the world.
So, don�t believe for a minute that it was all just an unfortunate accident. If you don�t think there was an agenda at work here, I would remind you that the song�s lyric included the phrase: "Going to have you naked by the end of this song." Satan always rewards those that worship and follow him faithfully. If you doubt that, turn to Luke 4:5-8 in your Bible for a quick read. Such rewards were even offered to Jesus.
Nevertheless, here are a few quotes from those involved in the incident as they appeared on the Drudge website and on World Net Daily, early Monday morning:
Justin Timberlake: "I am sorry that anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction during the halftime performance of the Super Bowl�It was not intentional and is regrettable."
MTV: �The tearing of Janet Jackson's costume was unrehearsed, unplanned, completely unintentional and was inconsistent with assurances we had about the content of the performance. MTV regrets this incident occurred and we apologize to anyone who was offended by it.�
CBS: "CBS deeply regrets the incident," spokeswoman Leslie Anne Wade told the Associated Press.�
Now, I don�t write this column to try and convince anyone that we live in depraved and deceitful world. That�s obvious. It�s easy to see how the average American family is seduced into sin through entertainment � even on the Lord�s Day with, as World Net Daily reported, �Janet Jackson grabbing her breasts; Sean P. Diddy repeatedly fondling his crotch; striptease cheerleaders; gyrating transvestites; simulated lesbian sex; [and] Jackson and Timberlake groping each other.�
The trouble is, Christians don�t recognize it seeping into their own sanctuaries.
My calling as a Christian and a watchman, is to warn the church. I didn�t ask for the job but the Lord gave it to me as sure as He did my eyesight. And if I sit silent, look the other way and take no initiative to speak up or speak out, (which, by the way, would be a whole lot easier and less time consuming), then I have failed my Lord and my calling miserably. It doesn�t always make me popular with readers but that just comes with the territory. So, having said that�
What we witnessed at halftime doesn�t just represent the seduction of secular society but also the seduction of the church. That sordid Super Bowl display is precisely where the 21st century church is headed. Not possible you say? I would remind you that the modus operandi of the church growth movement is to pursue the culture and imitate it in hopes of being loved by it for the sake of the gospel. That is the new unofficial definition of evangelism � reaching the world through relevancy and change � which is why it is increasingly hard to tell the difference between the world and the church. The key word here is �transformation.� Remember that. You will hear it used often.
If you think Christian performers would never stoop to such lewd tactics to �make friends and influence people�, (something the church was never commissioned by Christ to do) I would invite you to look back a mere 40 years to see what was acceptable in church and on television back then. If today�s ecclesiastical entertainers did back then what they do now, both on and off stage, the outrage would be earth shaking. Where�s the temperance, the humility, the brokenness and the reverence?
Gradualism is the key to transforming or "transitioning" the church into worldliness, my friends. You can�t see an hour hand on a clock move like you can a second hand. You have to look away from it for while to notice the change. I was away from the church for ten years and let me tell you, upon my return, the change I saw was startling. Satan knows all too well that the way to make the church more like the world is through gradualism. That�s how socialism (transformational Marxism) converts a culture into communism and how your church is being transformed today into a type of �Christian� communism, through group think, compromise and emotionally-manipulated, overly-emphasized human relationships � facilitated along so slowly and methodically that you and your fellow believers don�t really notice that a transformation is underway. It�s called the Gramsci strategy � named after transformational Marxist, Antonio Gramsci. When sin raises its ugly head in the church today, unless someone gets their precious feelings hurt, we just look at each other � smile, wink and say: �Well, I guess there�s nothing to be concerned about here � the Lord's in control."
Just remember this; Yes, the Lord went out into the world and dined with sinners in hopes of reconciliation, as should we also. That�s what Revelation 3:20 is all about. What He DID NOT DO was invite overt rebellion to flaunt itself flippantly in the Upper Room for the sake of fellowship. That was a quiet and secluded place reserved exclusively for those that followed Him.
In the blindness of their ongoing disobedience and pride, today�s Purpose Driven, Seeker Sensitive church clearly doesn�t see the difference. I sure hope you do.
�And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works
of darkness, but rather reprove them.� � Ephesians 5:11
Related Articles:
CBS
apologizes to 'anyone who was offended
MTV
Statement on Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Incident
� 2004 Paul Proctor - All Rights Reserved
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Paul Proctor, a rural resident of the Volunteer state and seasoned veteran of the country music industry, retired from showbiz in the late 1990's to dedicate himself to addressing important social issues from a distinctly biblical perspective. As a freelance writer and regular columnist for NewsWithViews.com, he extols the wisdom and truths of scripture through commentary and insight on cultural trends and current events. His articles appear regularly on a variety of news and opinion sites across the internet and in print. Paul may be reached at watchman@usa.com�
"What we witnessed at halftime doesn�t just represent the seduction of secular society but also the seduction of the church."
